Dr. Meena Singh Roy is a Research Fellow and heads the West Asia Centre at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA). Her areas of specialisation are Central Asia and West Asia. Prior to joining IDSA, she was a senior research scholar in the Department of African Studies, Delhi University. She was associated with the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, School of Oriental and African Studies and London School of Economics for her research work. In 2014, she was a visiting Research Fellow with the German Institute of Global and Area Studies’ (GIGA) Institute of Asian Studies.

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Research Fellow, IDSA, Dr Meena Singh Roy’s article on West Asia, titled ‘India and West Asia a Realistic Approach of Engagement’ was published in the January 2018 issue of ‘The Diplomatist’.

The article deals with the difficult choices before India, given the existing regional complexities and rising expectations from West Asia. It analyses how New Delhi has been able to manage closer relations with Israel, Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries, while maintaining its ties with Iran.

The Persian Gulf-2016-17 is fifth in the series published by MEI @ ND and first in collaboration with the IDSA. It Examines India’s bilateral relations with the region and focusses on developments during 2015 and 2016. It gives a comprehensive account of the strategic, political, economic and cultural aspects of bilateral developments and also provides in depth analysis of internal dynamics of the Persian Gulf countries.

There is a conscious effort on the part of India to re-energise the INSTC. However, sustaining the momentum achieved remains a major challenge before the member countries of the North-South connectivity project.

The book provides an in-depth assessment of socio-political, economic and strategic trends unfolding in West Asia. It also explores options for India to enhance existing relations with the West Asian region in a much more meaningful manner. The complexities of West Asia have been systematically explored by scholars, diplomats and specialists to advance the understanding of West Asia's political and strategic architecture.

India, in 2005, acquired the observer status in the SCO. It has also expressed its desire to join the SCO as a full member. It is believed that China would try and delay India's entry as full member in this regional organisation, whereas Russia along with the Central Asian countries would continue to support India's full membership in the SCO. New regional and global order would demand greater cooperation between India and China in future.

The recent visit by the external affairs minister can be viewed as continuation of new diplomatic push to strengthen bilateral cooperation with Iran despite the difficulties of economic sanctions imposed by the US and EU. However, the real test for both the countries is to maintain and sustain the current momentum.

Most of the discourses on India–Iran relations are either focused on cultural and civilisational links with Iran or its relevance as an energy-rich nation. Its transit potential in providing India with access to Central Asia has not received adequate attention.